Television Nigerian

Senator Simon Mwadkwon, the former Senate Minority Leader, thinks that even if Governor Caleb Mutfwang defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to run for governor in the 2027 election, Plateau State will continue to be a PDP stronghold.

Ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial elections, there have been many rumors and variations that Mutfwang might defect from the PDP to the APC. However, Mwadkwon, who served as the representative for Plateau North Senatorial District in the National Assembly before being ousted by an Appeal Court decision, stated that even in such a scenario, the APC would not pose a threat because the state would still be a PDP state.

In addition to dismissing the suggestion that Mutfwang is one of four PDP governors preparing to switch to the ruling APC, the former senator made the audacious claim during a Thursday interview with a select group of media in Jos. The governor has previously denied the rumors of defection.

According to the former lawmaker, “Plateau is always a PDP state, and whether the governor leaves the party or not, the people of the state know that their love for the PDP is unparalleled.”

The PDP would find a suitable replacement for Gov. Mutfwang and the party would win, he said, even if he chose to leave the party and run on another platform. He advised Mutfwang to stay in the PDP because it is the only party that would be in his best interests.

The governor of Plateau State has repeatedly stated in public that he has no intention of joining the APC, thus I don’t believe he is interested in doing so. Mwadkwon continued, “He has not backed down on this issue despite multiple appeals.”

As part of celebrations for Nigeria’s 65th anniversary of independence, Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has started giving away Mother-Baby Kits for free.

Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, the FCT Minister of State, represented Wike at the occasion and publicly inaugurated the initiative at the Asokoro District Hospital.

Dr. Mahmoud, who spoke at the launch, stated that the Mother-Baby Kits are a component of the administration’s main health initiatives, which are designed to provide a safe start in life for both mothers and infants.

“No mother should give birth without the resources and assistance she requires, and no child should be born without proper care,” she stated.

“These kits give every mother and infant the greatest start possible, demonstrating our strong commitment to maternal and child health. They have essential medical equipment and supplies to guarantee safe childbirth, delivery, and care for newborns throughout the FCT,” she stated.

The Abuja Breathe Fresh Air Project, a clean energy initiative that encourages the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cookers rather than firewood, charcoal, and kerosene, was also introduced by the administration in addition to the Mother-Baby Kits.

The two programs, in Mahmoud’s opinion, represent Wike’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which aims to address both long-term environmental sustainability and urgent healthcare needs.

“We are addressing one of the silent but deadly health hazards in homes — respiratory diseases caused by smoke inhalation — by substituting intelligent and efficient LPG cookers for polluting fuels,” she continued.

Additionally, the Minister of State emphasized that the FCT Administration has been strengthening its healthcare system through improved working conditions, staff training, and infrastructural improvements, such as the construction of a Public Health Emergency Operations Center and hospital renovations.

Maternal and newborn mortality rates in Nigeria continue to be alarmingly high, as previously noted by Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat.

She pointed out that a lot of these avoidable deaths happen because women don’t have access to basic, safe delivery gear when they give birth.

To bridge this gap, the Renewed Hope Mother-Baby Kit program was established, Fasawe continued.

“Every kit includes essentials to guarantee a safe and sanitary delivery for mother and child.”

As part of the rollout, some expectant mothers were given free Baby Kits and LPG stoves at the occasion.

Among those present were Adedayo Benjamin Laniyi, the Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs; Dr. Baba-Gana Adams, the Permanent Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat; Abubakar Ahmadu, the acting Director-General of the FCT Hospital Management Board; and Hajiya Rakiyya Wamako, the acting Executive Secretary of the FCT Primary Health Care Development Board.

Simon Mwadkwon, the former Senate Minority Leader, has stated his belief that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will maintain solid control over Plateau State, even if Governor Caleb Mutfwang decides to move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in time for the 2027 governorship contest.
Mwadkwon, who served as Plateau North’s representative in the National Assembly prior to being removed by an Appeal Court decision, disclosed this to reporters in Jos on Thursday.

In recent weeks, there have been rumors that Governor Mutfwang is one of four PDP governors who are purportedly planning to join the APC in order to increase their electoral prospects.

However, Mwadkwon downplayed the rumors, pointing out that the governor had repudiated them in public.

The governor of Plateau State has repeatedly stated in public that he has no intention of joining the APC, thus I don’t believe he is interested in doing so. He stated that he has not backed down on this topic in spite of multiple appeals.

Regardless of Mutfwang’s political destiny, the former congressman insisted that Plateau’s political loyalty would always be based in the PDP.

“Plateau is always a PDP state, and the people of the state know that their love for the PDP is unmatched, whether the governor stays in the party or not,” he said.

Even if he were to leave the PDP, Mwadkwon emphasized, the party would support another capable candidate to win in 2027. He advised the governor to remain in the party.

He went on to say: “The PDP would find a qualified successor for Gov. Mutfwang and the party would win if he chose to leave the party and run on a different platform. The PDP is the only party that will look out for his best interests.

Olajide Adediran, also known as Jandor, is a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State. He has stated that, with President Bola Tinubu’s support, he will easily win the state’s 2027 governorship election.
The Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 2023 gubernatorial candidate, who just switched to the APC, reportedly made the comments on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“I will support and advocate for whoever receives the APC gubernatorial ticket, regardless of my desire to become governor,” Jandor continued.

He stated: “If I have the strong support of Mr. President and the party in Lagos State, you cannot imagine what is going to happen this time.” It will be an easy win.

“I mean it without being disrespectful to anyone. As I have stated repeatedly, we will all support and advocate for the candidate that the party ultimately chooses.

As you are aware, I made a clever move during the party in 2021 and 2022. We’re not wired to act against the party, you know, and as soon as the party introduces someone, we’ll all follow suit.

Keep in mind that Jandor has announced his plan to run for governor in 2027.

In an interview with Vanguard on Thursday, Jandor denied rumors that former governor Akinwunmi Ambode and the president’s son Seyi Tinubu were other possible candidates.

He also promised to fully support President Bola Tinubu’s reelection campaign, saying the president deserved another term to build on his accomplishments and guide the nation to even greater heights.

Zamfara State, led by Governor Dauda Lawal, was named Nigeria’s most egregious governance failure from 2023 to 2025 by the Good Governance Rating Index (GGRI) midterm report, which the Arewa Youth Council for Peace (AYCP) fully supports.

The UK-based organization’s damning evaluation, which ranked Lawal’s administration dead last in terms of infrastructure, security, health, education, and transparency, revealed it to be a disastrous betrayal of Zamfara’s citizens.

This report is a “long-overdue indictment of a governor who has turned Zamfara into a living nightmare,” according to the AYCP.

Under Lawal’s leadership, armed banditry and mass kidnappings have increased despite billions being embezzled as security votes, as the GGRI report exposed.

In addition to health facilities that are underfunded, Zamfara has become a death trap for mothers and babies, with maternal mortality rates among the highest in Nigeria. More than 60% of rural children are denied an education and are left to rot in dilapidated schools.

According to the report, Lawal has squandered public trust on a wellspring of political cronyism, corruption, and a lack of developmental vision, resulting in impassable roads, unpaid workers, and a sharp rise in poverty.

Comrade Usman Yusuf signed a statement in which the AYCP denounced Lawal’s leadership as a “monumental disgrace,” pointing out that his claims of security and prosperity during the 2023 campaign were nothing more than falsehoods.

The GGRI’s conclusions, supported by audits, public input, and field surveys, show a state in freefall where public funds disappear into the governor’s networks of patrons and government employees collude to exacerbate insecurity.

The AYCP warns that the collapse of governance is a ticking time bomb for Nigeria’s stability, with the suffering of Zamfara potentially destabilizing the entire North-West.

Yusuf went on to say: “Dauda Lawal is a disaster in human form; he is a governor who has robbed Zamfara of its dreams and abandoned its people to live in poverty and violence.”

He needs to get down on his knees, ask for forgiveness, and step down right away for sending our state into this pit of despair. Zamfara’s soul is tarnished by his corrupt and inept rule; bandits control our territories, children begging rather than learning, and mothers die needlessly as a result of his failure and greed.

At the polls in 2027, Lawal will be subject to the wrath of Zamfara’s youth. To ensure that he is remembered as the cause of our suffering, we will sully his name through the muck of his own creation.

Our rallying cry is the GGRI report: “Lawal’s time in office is running out, and we will relentlessly pursue his removal for his crimes against our people.”

Public indignation has increased as a result of the GGRI reports’ revelation that security budgets are opaque and unaccountable for money intended to prevent banditry.

Ordinary families are living in fear as Lawal is accused by the public of transforming Zamfara into a “bandit’s paradise” due to reports of government agents conspiring with criminals.

The president of the AYCP declared: “Dauda Lawal is not just a failed governor; he is a coward who steals Zamfara’s dreams and hides behind false promises while our people suffer.”

“His resignation cannot be negotiated; he must step down immediately or face expulsion in shame.” He is ashamed of every school that is in disarray, every mother who is dying, and every child who has been abducted.

“In 2027, we will ensure that Zamfara rejects him, burying his political career in the ruins of his own shortcomings.”

“We demand justice, accountability, and transparency. No amount of political scheming will spare Lawal from the storm that is headed his way; he will have to face the judgment of the people.

“Every Zamfaran who is subjected to Lawal’s oppression has our solidarity. We will unite our people to demand justice after the GGRI report exposed him as a fraud.

“Until Lawal is gone, his friends are exposed, and Zamfara is released from his chokehold, we will fight our way from Gusau to the smallest village.” We promise that Lawal will fall and we will rise.

Barrister Aminu Junaidu’s nomination as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Investment and Securities Tribunal has been praised by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Northern Youth Council for Asiwaju (NYCA).

The nomination has been characterized as a calculated step to fortify Nigeria’s capital market and increase investor confidence, and it will take effect on September 18, 2025.

Former Zamfara State Attorney-General Junaidu will hold this important position for five years.

According to the NYCA, the President’s dedication to assigning highly skilled people to delicate government roles is demonstrated by Junaidu’s appointment.

The tribunal is expected to benefit from Junaidu’s expertise and integrity as a seasoned technocrat with a wealth of legal and administrative knowledge.

This nomination, according to the organization, will greatly further the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to promote stability and economic prosperity.

A key player in settling conflicts within Nigeria’s capital market, the Investment and Securities Tribunal makes sure that investors’ complaints are promptly and equitably resolved.

The tribunal’s effectiveness is expected to increase under Junaidu’s direction, further enhancing Nigeria’s standing as a secure and alluring investment destination.

NYCA President Comrade Usman Usman said, “We express our sincere gratitude to President Tinubu for this thoughtful appointment.

“The choice of Barrister Aminu Junaidu to head a delicate organization like the Investment and Securities Tribunal is another proof of the President’s team’s thorough investigation and diligence in finding one of Northern Nigeria’s brightest minds.

This choice is a testament to the administration’s commitment to proficiency and quality.

He went on to say, “Junaidu is an experienced technocrat whose knowledge will surely greatly benefit the Renewed Hope Agenda. The President clearly prioritizes merit in creating a thriving Nigeria, as seen by his appointment.

“As he continues to make decisions that advance our country, we reassure Mr. President of our unwavering support.”

The NYCA emphasized that Junaidu is special for the position because of his broad background in governance and law.

As a former Attorney-General, the group claimed he showed a dedication to justice and equity, which are critical for the tribunal’s leadership.

His nomination is thought to increase the trust that foreign and local investors have in Nigeria’s capital market.

It is anticipated that Junaidu’s five-year term will bring about changes that will expedite the tribunal’s dispute settlement procedures.

The NYCA thinks that this appointment supports the larger objective of promoting economic resilience.

With Junaidu in charge, the NYCA is sure that the organization will be crucial in drawing in additional capital, which will support economic expansion and job creation.

The organization called on all parties involved to help Junaidu in his new position.

“President Tinubu’s appointment of Barrister Junaidu is a masterstroke,” Comrade Usman Usman added.

He was chosen to head the Investment and Securities Tribunal because of his superb credentials and in-depth knowledge of the legal and financial systems.

“We are sure that his leadership will boost Nigeria’s reputation in the international financial community and increase investor confidence.”

He went on, “The Northern Youth Council for Asiwaju is unwavering in its commitment to President Tinubu’s goal of transformation.

In order to fulfill the promise of a revitalized Nigeria, we urge all Nigerians to support this administration and its nominees, including Junaidu.

The President’s vision for 2023 and beyond is something we are steadfastly committed to.

Northern Nigeria is proud of Junaidu’s selection, which highlights the region’s skill and ability, the NYCA added.

His leadership, according to the organization, will encourage young Nigerians to pursue distinction in their disciplines.

As part of its increased efforts to combat insecurity in the state, the government of Kwara State, led by Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has authorized the hiring of 2,600 more forest guards.
The 700 forest guards now on duty and collaborating with security agencies to fight banditry in the senatorial districts of Kwara North and South would be bolstered by the additional staff.

In a statement released on Thursday, Akeweje Fafoluyi, the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, confirmed the development and stated that the recruits’ training will start this week.

As to his statement, the new recruits would undergo cutting-edge military-style instruction that will cover the use of advanced weapons and contemporary counter-insurgency tactics.

“This week marks the start of advanced military training for the 2,600 new forest guards, which will include modern tactics for eliminating threats on the battlefield and the handling of advanced weapons,” Fafoluyi stated.

The action demonstrates Governor AbdulRazaq’s determination to fortify the security framework throughout the state, Fafoluyi emphasized.

“This further demonstrates the governor’s determination to eradicate criminal elements in order to bring about enduring peace in all areas of Kwara,” he continued.

The authorization reportedly coincides with growing worries about bandit assaults in areas of Kwara South and North, where forest guards and vigilante organizations have frequently acted as first responders prior to the arrival of military troops.

No Nigerian president has ever been able to give a speech as memorable and impactful as the one she gave upon gaining independence in 1960, according to Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Catholic bishop of the Sokoto Diocese.

In response to inquiries on Thursday’s Prime Time show on Arise Television, Kukah stated that Nigeria has not succeeded in establishing a cohesive national dream.

The ferocious priest used the “American Dream” as an example to point out that nation-building depends on mythology and visions that pique people’s interest.

“By stifling intellectual engagement in governance, Nigeria’s military leaders prevented the growth of ideas that could have shaped a stronger nation,” Kukah continued.

“Mythology is the foundation of nation building,” he stated. It’s not about the real world. The American Dream is a myth that describes modern-day America.

But you know, Nigeria hasn’t had the capability or talent to dream.

“For instance, I’ve always told people to close their eyes and ask themselves, after the 1960 speech, if there was ever a Nigerian president’s speech that truly left them feeling amazed, or if there was ever a speech that was so memorable—like JF Kennedy’s 1963 speech—that they had to ask themselves, what was I doing at the time?

This raises another question: what is the intellectual basis of governance?

Because they are scaffolding once the warriors realize they cannot win the logical debate.

They prevented intelligence from being a determining factor. People were so teaching things for which they were not compensated, as they stated.